Long a religious and traditional practice, the ritual of circumcision has drawn controversy in recent years from some who believe it is unnecessary, outdated or cruel.

To discuss the complex reasons behind circumcision and anti-circumcision perspectives, the University of Colorado July 24-26 will host the 13th International Symposium on Genital Autonomy and Children's Rights.

The conference, which is open to the public, will focus on the religious, historical and health reasons behind circumcision for both boys and girls around the world.

The symposium will cover a wide range of sexual health topics, as well as legal, ethical, psychological and sociological perspectives on how parents and others decide whether to circumcise children, said Gillian Longley, an organizer of the event.

There also will be "a full morning on religious aspects of this issue," she said.

One guest speaker with religious ties is Rebecca Wald, an attorney and author of the Jewish blog "Beyond the Bris." Her blog discusses potential alternatives to the traditional Jewish circumcision ritual for boys, called a bris.

Wald started speaking out against circumcision in 2006, when her son was a baby. She believes there is no scientific reason for circumcising babies, but felt conflicted because families with a Jewish background typically perform the religious ritual that involves circumcising boys.

Today, she is an advocate for an alternative bris ceremony called Brit Shalom, which is a "non-cutting naming ceremony that replaces ritual circumcision for newborn Jewish boys," according to the Beyond the Bris website.

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It can be similar to the naming ceremony traditionally used for baby girls, sometimes called Brit Bat.

Wald said families should "research to their heart's content" when deciding whether to circumcise their sons. She has met several families who circumcised their first son because of religious tradition, but decided not to circumcise their younger children after hearing arguments that the practice is unnecessary or painful for infants.

Wald is just one of several speakers who during the symposium's three-day schedule will discuss the ways circumcision has shaped religious perspectives throughout the years.

Other speakers include Janet Heimlich, a reporter who has covered religious topics for National Public Radio and other organizations, and Chelsea Collonge, a scholar who has studied issues related to Christianity and circumcision.

While many of the speakers at the symposium believe circumcision should not be performed, even for religious reasons, they acknowledge circumcision advocates also have complex and varied reasons for continuing the tradition.

Some advocates for circumcision point to Bible passages, such as Genesis 17:10, where God tells Abraham, "This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised."

Health concerns are another topic of debate for those who support or rally against circumcision.

The World Health Organization has said there is "compelling evidence that male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men" by about 60 percent, according to research on safe circumcision practices in places such as East and Southern Africa.

However, the WHO also states circumcision is just one option for keeping men and their partners safe from diseases such as HIV. The WHO advocates for regular HIV testing and the promotion of safer sex practices, such as the use of condoms, according to a 2013 study.

Regardless of people's position on the religious, cultural or health considerations surrounding circumcision, all are welcome to attend the symposium to make decisions for themselves, Wald said.

"A parent or prospective parent would maybe be interested in attending" to find out more, she said.

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